Chair of top planner stays empty as flap continues in Cheektowaga

Cheektowaga’s Planning Board still doesn’t have a chairman, as political wrangling continued Monday night between emerging factions on the Town Board.

A resolution to appoint former Council Member Stanley J. Kaznowski III to a four-year term as chairman never made it before the full board for a vote. It was tabled, on a motion by Council Member James P. Rogowski that was seconded by Council Member Timothy J. Meyers.

“I’m moving to table this resolution,” Rogowski said. “I’m asking the Ethics Board to do a review.”

Rogowski added that he wants a written response from the Ethics Board. In the meantime, he invited other interested residents to apply for the job.

Council Member Angela M. Wozniak “thanked” Rogowski for tabling the resolution. “If we do have any ethics violations, we need to research them thoroughly,” she said.

Wozniak said she wants all Town Board members to disclose if they have any relatives working for the town.

On Jan. 21, Wozniak pointed out that having Valerie A. Meyers, wife of the council member, working in a Council Office job directly supervised by the Town Board was a violation of Town Code.

The related policy states, in part, that “no Town officer or employee may directly supervise a relative in the performance of the relative’s official powers or duties.”

That night, the board voted to abolish the administrative assistant’s job held by Valerie Meyers; Rogowski and Meyers abstained from voting.

Later at that meeting, a motion by Rogowski – seconded by Meyers – to reappoint John M. Marriott to a second term as Planning Board chairman was defeated in a 5-2 vote. Marriott, whose term had expired Dec. 31, reportedly supported Rogowski and Meyers in last fall’s elections.

Kaznowski said after last night’s meeting that he has no relatives working for the town.

The town had been without an assistant chief for some time before a civil service exam was held last March.

“People expect more, … and the management of these organizations has become far more complex,” Police Chief David J. Zack said Monday. “This position was badly needed, and I thank you for reinstating it.”

Speyer, who will continue serving as the department’s public information officer and handling media relations, and Zack just started their 27th year with the department, the chief noted.

“I can assure you his qualifications are outstanding,” Zack said before jokingly adding, “I can think of only one résumé that may be slightly more impressive.”